An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

Bursting with flavor biting into a juicy orange a ripe apple a beautiful pomegranate it explodes onto the tongue and sends ecstasy to your brain reminds you of the time of complete nirvana one with the universe The cliche is trite and overused, overworked but since it happens so rarely how else do you describe it in any other words that don't sound flowery and trite? The dictionary doesn't help and sometimes simple is better even if it causes so many groans of disgust and the rolling of eyes into their heads.

  "Each garden is a grave" (after Richard Howard , prompt from The Writer's Retreat Kit by Judy Reeves ) Each garden is a grave life's decay enriches the very soil under your feet. Leaves crumple to the ground as the autumn winds blow the world above lies in slumber. Underneath the seeds are dormant in the arms of darkness They sleep the temperature dips far below what life demands. Some take their last breath and their blanket is cold icy earth. But it doesn't last forever. Before long new life springs forth from the old awakens and stretches out arms to the sun. And shines in all its glory the warm rays bathes it with their favor. Short and fleeting Till Nature's cycle runs its course. Till arms grow heavy and droop beautiful colors fade roots wither and die petals scatter like insects to nourish the dark loam that will harbor the next generation at the very same place the very same time. Over and over over again.

 Prompt: "Down to the deepest depths I peered" (after The Poetic EddaI, prompt from The Writer's Retreat Kit by Judy Reeves ) The Poetic Edda is a collection of alliterative verse based on Old Norse and Germanic legends. There are several versions of the collection.) Down to the deepest depths I peered to see a silver sun instead filled with fronds of falling leaves red and rose and rapture green. A passion seen in purple prose darkening to deep desire the ballad of a brazen bard sweet song of sentimental stone The tone can tell a troubled tale from fiery cave to freezing falls terrible trials and trying times a victory in vicious verse. Peace will have a precious price Coveting a cache of coin Silencing secrets out of sight for freedom, fame and fortune. What's the worth of such a weight a conscience cracked and charred so cruel? Steeped in sin but still so soft History will have her hand.

(Prompt: "Comfort Me with Apples", quote from The Song of Solomon, 2:5, King James Version , prompt from The Writer's Retreat Kit by Judy Reeves ) Comfort me with apples the smell of freshly baked pie wafting through the kitchen window on the first days of autumn. The feeling of home of the love of family and of friends brought together under a banner of falling leaves. Apple tarts picked ripe from the tree from branch to oven in a moment Dough rolled out by a loving hand sprinkled with spices. Tempt me with the sweetness fork with every bite rich and full with the hint of tartness beneath. The laughter of my brethren echoes across the mountains and hills seeing the young and the old together I am content.

Prompt: "Poetry roots itself in the dreamer" (quote from Judy Michaels , prompt from The Writer's Retreat Kit by Judy Reeves ) Poetry roots itself in the dreamer Words bubble to the top like a glass of lazy seltzer water. The bubbles burst and release their voice quiet and brief. You have to listen carefully catch it in the right moment then write it for posterity. Sometimes it doesn't show itself in the bright sun of the day.. It sneaks around at the dead of night when your eyes are closed and your consciousness travels to other inner worlds. That's where it takes hold. The river of words which arrives, then stays there waiting to be discovered hidden until the right time the right place for it to crash forth to be heard.

(6 Greek, 5 Hindu, 2 Japanese, 2 Chinese...and 1 English) There are sixteen words for love: 1) Agape , unconditional with no if, and, or but my goodwill towards all 2) Eros , physical purely an appreciation of the body with the soul. 3) Philia , brotherly love affectionate regard friendship 4) Storge , parental from a mother or a father to a child. 5) Philautia , to oneself concerned with one's own happiness or advantage 6) Xenia , hospitality welcome to my house mi casa e tu casa. 7) Kama , longing craving for the senses pleasure of all kinds 8) Shringara , rapture emotional bonding the giddiness of your presence 9) Maitri , compassion giving love in so many little ways food, comfort, kindness 10) Bkhati , devotion praying to your Deity day after day for peace 11) Atma-Prema , love for self we are all one, there is no distinction, no difference 12) Kachou Fuugetsu , love of nature feel the wind in the trees, the heat of the sun and get to know yourself 13) Koi no Yokan , love a